GREENWOOD, IN - Rose-Hulman ran its win streak to nine in a row following a pair of HCAC wins last week. The Engineers (12-3, 7-1 HCAC) defeated Franklin and Mount St. Joseph to earn sole possession of first place in the HCAC standings.

Senior guard Julian Strickland (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) led the Engineers during the two home wins. Strickland scored 33 points, on 11-of-17 shooting, and drained seven three-point field goals in RHIT's 65-60 win over Mount St. Joseph (9-5, 6-2 HCAC).

The senior added 17 points and six rebounds in a 74-56 win over Franklin on Wednesday.

For the week, Strickland averaged 25.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, connecting on 56.3% of hit field goal attempts.

Rose-Hulman will travel to Hanover on Wednesday to close out the first half of the league schedule. The Engineers will return home on Saturday to play host to Transylvania. The Pioneers defeated RHIT 62-59 back on December 7.

In other action...

Defiance (11-4, 6-2 HCAC) earned a pair of wins to remain a game behind Rose-Hulman in the standings. The Yellow Jackets beat rival Bluffton 55-42 on Wednesday and pulled out an exciting 54-52 win at Franklin. Junior guard Mason Roth (McComb, Ohio/H.S.) connected on a 13-foot jumper as time expired, lifting the Jackets to an important road win.

Hanover (10-5, 6-2 HCAC) bounced back from a 57-55 loss at Mount St. Joseph Wednesday evening to beat Manchester 90-50 Saturday. The Panthers sit one game behind Rose-Hulman in the standings and will play host to the Engineers Wednesday night.

Transylvania (6-9, 4-4 HCAC) climbed into the HCAC tournament picture with a pair of wins last week. Since starting the league season 1-4, the Pioneers have won three straight. Transy beat Earlham 89-63 and slipped past Bluffton in overtime 97-91. Sophomore forward Parker Stansberry (Erlanger, Ky./Dixie Heights) led Transy during the two wins, averaging 22.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest.